Calvino- Intro/Conclusion

Question #6

In the essay “Why We Read the Classics,” Italo Calvino does not waste time on an unnecessarily long introduction to capture the reader’s attention. Instead he relies on his title. The title draws readers in by causing them to question themselves. When reading the title of the essay, they might ask, “Why do we read the classics? Is there a purpose?” After questioning themselves, readers will thirst for more. Searching for answers, they will read the first paragraph, which begins with: “Let us begin by putting forward some definitions.” Instead of starting the essay with an introductory paragraph, Calvino jumps into answering the readers’ questions, relying on curiosity to keep them interested.

Although there is a serious lack of an introductory paragraph, there is a very nice conclusion to wrap up the essay and bring all of Calvino’s points to a close. The conclusion, however, is not contained to one paragraph. After delivering and explaining all fourteen definitions, Calvino shocks readers by essentially telling them that the definitions hardly matter at all. With the concluding paragraphs he helps us to realize that we should read the classics because we want to read them. We should read because “reading the classics is always better than not reading them.” With his concluding paragraphs, Calvino shocks his readers into this realization, making his essay even more powerful.

Calvino, Italo. "Why Read the Classics." Lecture.